Think of the last movie you watched. Every detail was a conscious decision intended to tell a piece of the story. The lighting, the setting, the casting, the soundtrack. What each character wore and how they wore it. The food they ate and how they ate it. Where they dined and when. The color of the walls, their car; the way they walk. We know this about films, then fail to remember that the same is true of our own lives. We are our own performances and every detail speaks hidden volumes that factor into the sum of our story—affect how we feel and what we believe.

Every movie begins with a screenplay—details and dialog. The two work in concert, but the dialog bears the primary responsibility for moving us through the narrative. Language is the central medium of our lives.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

Labels are a shorthand we use to express a set of common denominators. As harmful as they are helpful, labels confine not define us, yet we can not live without them. Depending on how you feel about what you do, it is a question you answer with ease or stumble through with an awkward self consciousness. I’ve done both.

When I chose to call myself a Creative Critic, I knew I was creating a label for myself that would always require an explanation; and I knew I was choosing a word with negative connotations. I am experienced in marketing; had I been my own client, I would have strongly advised against my choice. And I admit, it hasn’t been easy. But I stand by my decision—it’s my story and I fully own it.

I had a critic in my life—the kind of love that comes with judgement and over time conditions you to question and doubt yourself; becomes the voice in your head that echoes the sentiments of society and expresses all your fears.

Babe Effect shares stories from my journey to find and free my real voice, to love myself unconditionally and live aligned with my own truth. To mute the critics and follow my heart.

The professional critic—trained to notice and seasoned with experience—discerns without judging. Wise with comparison and open to innovation, they know when and how to offer advice. They recognize potential and comprehend the challenges. They are sought for their insight and practical recommendations. The professional critic understands storytelling and the gravity of details.

STAGING MY SUCCESS

It is said that our greatest strengths often begin as weaknesses. What once inhibited me—my hyper self awareness—is now my solution. Reconditioning my inner critic to be my ally not my adversary, I rely on her perception to analyze my performance and guide my potential. Through her keen attention to detail, I consciously and continually refine my experience. I note my environment and its effect. I monitor and modulate my language. I observe nuance in my body and adjust my internal dialog. I read the energy of others and tune my own to harmonize. In short—I direct, produce and star in my own story. Everyday. In every possible way.

CREATIVE CRITIQUES

When I offer my services as a Creative Critic, I am offering to share the wisdom of my experience—both professional and personal. There is no substitute for experience, but experience is not truth and truth is never static. I call myself a creative critic because I work predominantly with artists, craftsmen and creative businesses. But I also chose the word—creative—because even more than experience, I rely on my imagination and I teach clients to do the same. The conscious art of storytelling is our most powerful and direct way to change how we feel about our experiences, and by doing so, transform them.

If you are not living your dream, you are listening to your critic. Do not mistake your dream for a destination or a dollar amount. The dream of every soul is to live free—free to BE.